CD reviews

Clay Aiken, "On My Way Here" (RCA/19)

Few pop stars come into a project with more baggage than Aiken. "On My Way Here" is only his second album of originals (he released a poorly received covers album and a Christmas collection). Its title and tracks such as "The Real Me," "Where I Draw the Line" and "Weight of the World" tease that they might address personal issues Aiken has battled to keep private. Instead, "On My Way Here" trots out clichés and lush ballads that blend into one other. What is undeniable is the purity of Aiken's tenor, which gets its best showcase on record yet. This CD paints him as a hopelessly square balladeer, a role he says he welcomes. 5311

HOWARD COHEN, MIAMI HERALD

Ike Reilly, "Poison the Hit Parade" (Rock Ridge)

"Who says you can't take a shot at the president? Just say you're sorry and be on your way," Reilly spits out in "Fish Plant Rebellion." This album is mostly demos and alternative versions of songs from some of his great earlier albums -- "Duty Free," for example, gets a more countrified arrangement. The title track is new, as is the ringingly melodic "Dragonflies," which shows that Reilly has a heart, too. Put it all together, and you get another thrilling portrait of Reilly's audacious street-poet charisma. 5312

NICK CRISTIANO, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER

Elvis Costello and the Imposters,

Like REM's "Accelerate," "Momofuku" was written and recorded fast and features mostly shortish, high-energy songs that hope to recall Costello's heyday. It mostly works. Bashed-out rockers such as "Mr. Feathers" bristle with tension, and harmony-heavy tunes such as "No Hiding Place" recall early 1980s Costello. And even slower tunes, such as the heart-on-sleeve romance "Flutter and Wow," benefit from an off-the-cuff attack. The songwriting isn't uniformly excellent, and, at times, Costello falls prey to too-clever punni-ness. But there are some tender, deeply personal songs, such as "My Three Sons," and angry, winningly rocking ones, such as "American Gangster Time," too. 5313

DAN DELUCA, PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER